40 THE LIFE OF A FOX 



this, it was more difficult for them to smell the 

 scent which was lodged on the ground over which 

 I had run, when blown away from their noses, than 

 when blown towards them. 



One circumstance occurred to check my joy, 

 namely, the loss of my other brother, who had 

 accompanied me in one of my midnight rambles 

 into the adjoining country near Hambledon ; and 

 (for though so long ago as 1828, I well remember 

 it) we had been induced to swim across some water 

 to an island situated in Rookesbury Park, belonging 

 to ^Ir. Garnier, on which it so happened there was 

 a nest of young swans ; and although we did not 

 venture to touch them, the old ones were so angry 

 with us for our intrusion, that when we attempted 

 to quit the island they would not allow us to do so, 

 but continued swimming backwards and forwards 

 to show their anger. At length, as dayhght was 

 appearing, my poor brother was rash enough to 

 make a sally, and had nearly swum across to the 

 land, when, overtaking him, they commenced an 

 attack, and by flapping their wings against his head, 

 and keeping him under water, speedily drowned him, 

 just as a man came up to see what they were about. 



They seemed to exult in their prowess, and 

 whilst they were proudly throwing back their heads. 



